Method and apparatus for traffic surveillance



1962 F. BIEDERMANN ETAL 3,060,434

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TRAFFIC SURVEILLANCE Filed, Feb. 25, 1959 3Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS FRIEDRICH BIEDERMANN, RICHARD WICK JOSEFPFEIFER BY ATTORNEY 5 Oct. 23, 1962 F. BlEDERMANN ETAL 3,

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TRAFFIC SURVEILLANCE Filed Feb. 25, 1959 3Sheets-Sheet 2 53 I E 394 J 42 30 5/ L I 29 49:5

3 1 fl38b 39 5&5 T 25 INVENTORS. FRIEDRICH BIEDERMANN, RICHARD WICK,

JOSEF PFEIFER lay/6 23, 1962 F. BIEDERMANN ETAL 3,060,434

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TRAFFIC SURVEILLANCE Filed Feb. 25, 1959 3Sheets-Sheet 3 66 66 72 0 n 7 w 67c INVENTORS FRIEDRICH BIEDERMANN,

RICHARD W/CK,

JOSEF PFEIFER,

ATTORNEYS United States Patent ice 3,660,434 METHOD AND APPARATUS FQRTRAFFlC SURVEILLANCE Friedrich Biedermann, Munich-Unterhaching, RichardWick, Munich-Gruenwald, and Josef Pfeifer, Munich- Unterhaching,Germany, assignors to Agfa Aktiengesellschaft, Leverlmsen-Bayerwerk,Germany, a corporation of Germany Filed Feb. 25, 1959, Ser. No. 795,436Claims priority, application Germany Mar. 4., 1958 17 Claims. (Cl.346-107) This invention relates to a method and apparatus for thesurveillance of traflic incorporating a device for automaticallydetecting vehicles which violate traflic regulations, and moreparticularly, relates to such a method and apparatus which makes aphotographic record of any vehicles which violate trafiic regulations.

In accordance with this invention, it is proposed to automaticallyphotograph several times at successive predetermined intervals of time,those vehicles which violate trafiic regulations after it has beendetermined that their manner of driving is in violation of regulations.

A watching device is proposed for carrying out the process in accordancewith this invention which incorporates a photographic camera, a devicefor automatically releasing the shutter of this camera when it detectsany vehicle which violates traffic regulations, and additional means foreffecting a repetition of the shutter release after a definite intervalof time. The means for repeating the shutter release preferably includesan electronic time switch which is actuated by the device which detectsany vehicles which drive in a manner violating trafiic regulations.

A device made in accordance with this invention is particularly usefulfor making a multiple photographic record of any vehicles which do notpay attention to a Stop signal. When a device made in accordance withthis invention is used in conjunction with a traflic light, it is placedin readiness for operation when the red Stop signal light is switchedon; or it can be placed into operative readiness during the period ofoperation of the yellow Caution light which precedes the illumination ofthe red Stop signal light.

A device made in accordance with this invention can also serve to make amultiple photographic record of any vehicles which travel upon aforbidden zone of the road, for example, in violation of a No Passingregulation; or it can be used to detect vehicles which exceed the speedlimit.

In accordance with a further characteristic of this invention, a relayis provided which is energized through a contactor which is actuated bya vehicle which drives in violation of traffic regulations. This relayeffects first the release of a camera shutter and, secondly, theactuation of an electronic time switch which effects the second releaseof the camera shutter. In conjunction with the surveillance of the speedof vehicles, tWo contactors which are successively triggered by avehicle, which travels at a speed in excess of the speed limit,respectively energize relays which control a switch in the circuit of asolenoid in the camera actuating device and a switch in the circuit ofanother relay which energizes the electronic time switch which effectsthe second release of the camera shutter. This time switch controlsanother switch which is incorporated in the camera actuating solenoidcircuit.

Also in accordance with this invention, means are provided forpreventing the control component from being actuated by other vehiclesduring the time interval that a series of pictures of a vehicle whichhas violated a traffic regulation is being taken.

In accordance with a further characteristic of this pres- 3,060,434Patented Oct. 23, 1962 cut invention, the time interval betweensuccessive pictures being taken of a vehicle which has violated trafficregulations can be adjusted. Also, the contactors which are triggered byvehicles being watched are preferably actuated by contact base plateswhich are mounted upon or within the road being watched.

Further, in accordance with this invention, the photographic camera ofthe watching device is mounted together with the electronic control andtiming devices in a housing mounted adjacent the road being watched.

Still further, in accordance with this invention, the camera, a flashapparatus which might optionally be utilized, electronic control andtiming devices, and in a particular instance, a power supply, aremounted in a conveniently detachable manner within the aforementionedhousing or casing. Additional devices may also be installed within thehousing for indicating the date, time of day, and in a given instance,also the speed of the vehicle violating traffic regulations; and theirinformation can be reflected into the field of view of the photographiccamera.

This invention is highly advantageous because the multiple photographicrecord of a vehicle which violates traffic regulations can be thoroughlystudied by means of the exposed film stored in the camera of thewatching device. Furthermore, the approximate speed of a vehicleviolating trafiic regulations can be determined from the differentpositions of the vehicle in the successive pictures which are taken atdefinite intervals of time. It can be determined, for example, whetherthe violating vehicle has crossed the intersection against a red lightat a high or low speed. Furthermore, the license or registration plateof the violating vehicle is, in most instances, clearly photographedeven if it was covered in the first picture by other traflic elements,for example, pedestrians standing within or crossing the intersection.

Novel features and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent to one skilled in the art from a reading of the followingdescription in conjunction with the accompanying drawings whereinsimilar reference characters refer to similar parts and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an intersection at which a traflic lightand a trafiic watching device which is an embodiment of this inventionis installed;

FIG. 2 is a front view in elevation of a portion of the trafficobserving device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the electrical portion of the observingdevice shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the circuit of the signal lamp of thetraflic light shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a section of road at which a device forthe surveillance of a maximum speed limit is installed; and

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of the circuit of the switching deviceshown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 1 schematically represents a traffic intersection 1. At the side ofroad 2 entering intersection 1 is positioned a column 3 upon which ismounted a trafiic light which incorporates in the conventional manner ared Stop signal lamp 4, a yellow Caution signal lamp 5, and a green Gosignal lamp 6.

This surveillance or observation device acting in conjunction with thesignal lights and which is described more fully in the following,detects and makes a record of any vehicles which drive throughintersection 1 coming from street 2 in violation of a red Stop light.

This traffic observing device incorporates, for example, a contactingbase plate 7 which is mounted upon or within the right lane of street 2,an automatically operated camera 8 whose shutter is, for example,electromagnetically released, an electronic flash device 9 operating innal lamps 4-6 behind which is arranged objective lens of camera 8, andan additional window 15 is provided in front wall 13 behind which flashapparatus 9 is mounted. The angle of view of the lens of camera 8 andthe illumination angle of the reflector of flash device 9 are greatenough to respectively cover and illuminate the portion of the road atand behind cont-act base plate 7. Signal lamps 4*6 accordingly lie inthe field of view of camera 8 and are recorded on the film when theshutter is released.

The electrical control or switching device which is mounted withincasing 10, which is, for example, slidably arranged in the housing 11like a drawer, is shown in detail in FIG. 3; and it consists in the mostpart of a control component 16 and an electronic time switch 17 whichare connected through respective DC. power supply circuits to a commontransforcer 18 and alternating current lines 29 and 30 throughrespective secondary windings 19 and 20. These power supplies includerectifiers 21 and 22 which are, for example, full-Wave rectifiers orrectifier bridges and band-pass filters incorporating elements 23, 24,25, 26, 27, and 28. Control component 16 and time switch 17 areconnected to the aforementioned power supply apparatus preferablythrough plug connections 31, 31; 32, 32; 33, 33; and 34, 34'.

The first relay solenoid 38 of control component 16 is connected toterminals 3-1 and 32' through connections 35 and 36 through a contactor37 which is actuated by contact base plate 7. Relay solenoid 33 in turnactuates contactor 38a which is connected in parallel with contactor 37.The various relay solenoids are hereinafter referred to as merely relaysfor brevity of presentation. Furthermore, the various contactors whichare controlled by particular solenoids are designated by the samereference numeral as this solenoid followed by an identifying lettersuifix.

A second relay 39 in control component 16 can be connected to lines 35and 36 through a double-throw contactor 38b which is actuated by firstrelay 33. A capacitor 40 is connected in series with contactor 38b, anda re sistor 41 can be connected to capacitor 40 in one position ofdouble-throw switch 38b.

Relay 39 actuates contactor 39a which connects solenoid 42across lines35 and 36. Solenoid 42, for example, controls a known type of device(not shown) for releasing the camera shutter as well as cooking it andadvancing the film of the photographic camera to place it in readinessfor the next exposure. Such a device is, for example, described in US.Letters Patent 2,393,534.

Electronic time switch 17 is connected through lines 43 and 44 withterminal plugs 33 and 34 and incorporates in a conventional manner athyratron 45 having a grid 46 connected with a timing capacitor 47.Timing capacitor 47 is connected in series with a resistor 48 which ispreferably of the variable type. Contactor 38c which is connected in thecircuit of timing switch 17 and contactor 38d which is connected inparallel with timing capacitor 47 are controlled by relay 38 ofswitching component 16. Relay 49 connected in the anode circuit ofthyratron 45 controls contactors 49a and 491') which are respectivelyconnected to shutter release solenoid 42 in parallel with contactor 39aand in the circuit of first relay 38 of control component 16.

As is shown in FIG. 4, a further relay 53 is connected to alternatingcurrent lines 30 and 29 through conductor 50, contactor 52 and conductor51. Relay 53 controls contactor 53a which is connected in the circuit offirst relay 38 of control component 16. Contactor 52, shown in FIG. 4,is actuated by the device which controls the on and off switching of redsignal lamp 4.

The method of operation of the apparatus shown in FIGS. 1, 3 and 4 isdescribed in detail in the following.

When red signal lamp 4 is not energized and contactor 52 is accordinglyopen, relay 53 is also de-energized and its contactor 53a is also open.The other contactors of control component 16 and timing device 17 are inthe positions which are shown in FIG. 3. Control component 16 and timingdevice 17 are accordingly not actuated if a vehicle should drive overcontact base plate 7 and close contactor 37 and no photographic recordof this vehicle is accordingly made.

During the time that access from street 2 across intersection 1 isprohibited, contactor 52 is closed, red signal light 4 is lit and relay53 is energized. During this red phase of operation, contactor 53a ismaintained closed by relay 53. However, relay 38 and other parts ofcontrol devices 16 and 17 still are de-energized until the followingevents occur.

If a vehicle drives into intersection 1 from street 2 against a lit redlight 4, it closes contactor 37 when it drives over contact base plate7. This energizes relay 38 through closed contactor 53a and maintains itclosed through contactor 33a which it itself controls. Accordingly, evenwhen contactor 37 opens, after contact base plate 7 is released, forexample, by a spring (not shown) relay 3% is maintained energizedthrough contactor 38a. Relay 38 also moves double-throw switch 385 fromcontact 55 to contact 56 to charge capacitor 40 through relay 39. Relay39 is accordingly energized for a short time which momentarily closescontactor 39a which in turn momentarily energizes camera solenoid 42,which releases the shutter of photographic camera 8. This makes a firstphotographic record or picture of violating vehicle 54. As previouslymentioned, solenoid '42 also actuates the resetting of the shutter andadvances the film of camera 3 to place it in condition for takinganother picture.

Contactor 380 of electronic timing switch 17 is closed by the previouslymentioned energization of relay 38,

and contactor 38d is opened to permit timing capacitor 47 to chargethrough resistor 48. When the capacitor voltage reaches a predeterminedvalue, thyratron 45 fires and energizes relay 49. This closes contactor49a, and photographic camera 8 is thereby actuated by solenoid 42 forthe second time. At the same time, contactor 49b is opened whichde-energizes relay 38. This consequently returns contactors 38a, b, c,and d to their original starting condition which is shown in FIG. 3;thereby the conducting phase of thyratron 45 is terminated andcapacitors 40 and 47 are discharged.

This opens contactor 49a associated with solenoid 42 and closescontactor 49!) associated with relay 38. This places electrical controldevices 16 and 17 once more in their starting conditions ready for theirnext cycle of actuation.

Resistor 48 may be varied to adjust the operating period of timingswitch 17 to accordingly set the time interval between the time oftaking the first picture, which occurs when the vehicle drives overcontact base plate 7, and the second picture, which is taken when timingswitch 17 is triggered to, for example, approximately one second. Theclosing of contactor 53a and therewith the placing of control devices 16and 17 in operative readiness can, in a modification of the illustratedexample, occur during the yellow signal light, for example, whichprecedes the red signal light phase instead of during the period ifillumination of red lamp 4. This may occur either simultaneously withthe illumination of yellow lamp 5 or during the course of illuminationof yellow lamp 5 by means of a time switch device which is triggered bythe switching on of yellow lamp 5. This time switch is adjusted, forexample, to close contactor 53 after /a of the time of illumination ofyellow lamp 5 has been spent.

In this case, contactor 53a also opens, for example, when red signallamp 4 is switched off which may occur together with the switching offof yellow lamp 5 at the end of the yellow Caution phase preceding thegreen G phase.

This principle of multiple photographic recording of vehicles travelingin a manner violating traffic regulations can also be used for theobservation of other traffic regulations, for example, the surveillanceof a center line in the road which must not be crossed. For thispurpose, the device represented in FIGS. l3 may also be used if thetrafiic light incorporating signal lamps 4, 5 and 6 and contactor 5311are eliminated and contact base plate 7 is disposed along the centerlineof the road.

The apparatus of FIGS. 13 modified in such manner can also be utilizedfor observing a No Passing zone. In this case, contact base plate 7 ismoved over into the portion of the road which is not permitted to beused by on-coming trafiic, and it is constructed and ar ranged in amanner to permit it to actuate contactor 37 only when it is driven overby a vehicle moving in a predetermined one of the two directions. In thecase of observing no-passing zones for trucks only, a contact base plateis used, for example, which actuates control devices 16 and 17 only whena predetermined minimum axle pressure is applied to it. These contactbase plates whose operation depends upon pressure, of course, do nothave to be constructed to operate dependent upon direction of movementif they are used on turnpikes and other divided roads upon which traflicdoes not move in two directions.

The multiple photographic recording principle can also be utilized forwatching that a certain maximum speed limit is observed. A devicesuitable for this purpose is shown in FIG. 5. It includes two contactbase plates 58 and 59 which are arranged at a predetermined distancefrom each other within or upon road 57 and it also includes a housing 11which is mounted alongside road 57 upon a post 12 and within which arearranged in a manner similar to that shown in FIG. 2 photographic camera8, flash apparatus 9, and a casing incorporating an electrical controlor switching device.

This control device is described in FIG. 6 and includes a controlcomponent 60 and two electronic timing switches 61 and 62. Timing switch62 provides a means for repeating the shutter release of the cameraafter it is first triggered as is later described in detail. Controlcomponent 64) is connected with a direct current source throughconnecting terminals 31" and 32", and electronic timing switches 61 and62 are connected to a direct current source through terminals 33" and34". These terminals or plugs are, for example, respectively connectableto terminals or plugs 31, 32, 33 and 34 of the power supply shown inFIG. 3 which includes a transformer, rectifiers and band-pass filters.

Control component 60 includes a first relay 67 which is connectable toterminals 31" and 32" to provide a flow of direct current thereto. Forthis purpose, relay 67 is connectable to lines 64 and 65 throughcontactor 66 which is actuated by the first contact base plate 58 andthrough normally closed contactors 69b and 81a. Relay 67 when energizedactuates contactor 6711 which is connected in parallel with contactors66 and 69b for maintaining relay 67 energized even after contactor 66 isopened after vehicle 63 has passed contact plate 58.

A second relay 69 is also connectable to DC. lines 64 and 65 throughcontactor 68 which is actuated by the second contact base plate 59.Relay 69 actuates doublethrow contactor 69a to connect capacitor 70 andresistor 71 in parallel with contactor 68 to connect relay 69 throughthem to line 64 when contactor 69a is moved into electrical contact withterminal 88. In the deenergized condition shown in FIG. 6, contactor 69ais in electrical contact with terminal 87 which shortacircuits capacitor70 and resistor 71 through line 72 to line 64. Relay 69 opens contactor6% which is connected in parallel with contactor 67a and in series withcontactor 66.

Furthermore, a third relay 73 is connectable to lines 64 and 65 throughcontactor 67b which is actuated by the first relay 67 and throughcontactor 690 which is closed by the second relay 69. Contactors 67b and690 are connected in series with each other and both are in parallelwith contactor 73a which is actuated by relay 73 to maintain itenergized when either of contactors 67b and 690 are allowed to open.Relay 73 also actuates contactor 73b which is arranged in the energizingcircuit for relay 69. Finally, solenoid 74 is connectable to conductors64 and 65 through contactor 67c actuated by relay 67 and contactor 69dwhich is actuated by relay 69. Solenoid 74, similar to solenoid 42 inFIG. 3, actuates release and cocking of the shutter of camera 8 andautomatic advance of its film.

Electronic timing switches 61 and 62 are connectable to terminals 33"and 34 through common lines 75 and '76, and they respectively includethyratrons 77 and 82, timing capacitors 79 and 84 connected to thethyratron grids 78 and 83, and variable resistors 80 and connected inseries with capacitors '79 and 84.

Relay 81 connected to the anode of thyratron 77 of timing switch 61actuates contactor 81a which is connected in series with relay 67 ofcontrol component 60. Conversely, relay 67 controls contactor 67dconnected in series with the anode of thyratron 77, and it also actuatescontactor 67e connected in parallel with timing capacitor 7 9 of timingswitch 61.

In contrast, relay 86 connected to the anode of thyratron 82 of timingswitch 62 actuates contactor 8611 connected within common power line 75for both timing switches 61 and 62. Relay 86 also actuates contactor 86bconnected in series with relay 73 and contactor 86c connected inparallel with contactors 67c and 69d associated with camera solenoid 74of control component 60.

The switching period of timing switch-61 is adjusted through acor-responding setting of resistor 80 exactly to the time required for avehicle 63 to travel between contact base plates 58 and 59 along road 57when it is proceeding at the maximum permitted rate of speed. Theswitching period of timing switch 62 is, for example, adjusted toapproximately one second.

The apparatus shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 operates to cause the operatingcycle of timing switch 61 to be initiated when vehicle 63 drives overfirst contact base plate 58. If vehicle 63 should be proceeding at aspeed above the maximum speed limit, it triggers the shutter of camera 8to take a first photographic recording of itself when it passes oversecond contact base plate 59. At this time, it also initiates the cycleof operation of timing switch 62 which eifects the second photographicrecording after approximately one second. The following discussiondescribes in detail the mode of operation of the apparatus shown inFIGS. 5 and 6.

When vehicle 63 passes over base plate 58, contactor 66 is therebyclosed for a short period of time. This energizes relay 67 which closescontactors 67a, b, c, and d and opens contactor 67c. The closing ofcontactor 67a maintains relay 66 energized even after contactor 66 isallowed to open after vehicle 63 has passed contactor plate 58. Theclosing of contactor 67d and the opening of contactor 67e initiates thecycle of operation of timing switch 61, thereby permitting capacitor 79to start to charge.

If the speed of vehicle 63 is in excess of the maximum permitted rate ofspeed so that the road distance between contact base plates 58 and 59 istraversed in a shorter period of time than the cycle of operation oftiming switch 61, contact base plate 59 is actuated before thyratron 77fires.- Contactor 68 is closed when the vehicle drives over plate 59'which energizes relay 69. This actuates doublethrow contactor 69a tomove from terminal 87 to ter- .minal 88 thereby opening contactor 6%associated with relay 67 and closing contactors 69c and 69d respectivelyassociated with relay 73 and camera solenoid 74. Since, at this time, inan instance of violation of the speed limit, contacto-rs 67b and 670 arestill closed, relay 73 and solenoid 74 are respectively energized.Solenoid 74, when energized, releases the shutter of camera 8 for thefirst time and recocks it after taking the picture as well as advancingthe film forward by a single frame. Contactors 69c and 69d are onlyduring a short period closed because contactor 68 opens as soon asvehicle 63 moves off plate 58 and current flows through the laternatepath through capacitor 70 and contactor 6% only during the short periodof charging of said capacitor but solenoid 74- is maintained energizedlong enough to accomplish its function. Furthermore, relay 73 maintainsitself energized even after contact plate 59 is released through itscontactor 73a connected in parallel with contactors 67b and 69c.

When relay 73, as previously mentioned, was energized, contactor 73b wasopened which de-energized relay 69 thereby returning contactors 69a, 12,c, and d to their original condition, and de-energizing camera solenoid74.

At the same time that contact base plate 59 is depressed and relay 73accordingly energized, contactor 730 connected to the grid 83 ofthyratron 82 is opened to switch on timing switch 62 and permitcapacitor 84 to start to charge.

Before the cycle of operations of timing switch 62 has expired,capacitor 79 of timing switch 61 charges enough to fire thyratron 77.This energizes relay 81 which opens contactor 81a which de-energizesrelay 67. Contactors 67a, [1, c, and d are thereby opened and contactor67a is closed which returns timing switch 61 to its original condition.

As soon as capacitor 84 of timing switch 62 is charged to the potentialrequired to fire thyratron 32, it conducts through relay 86 which ismaintained energized during the period of conduction of thyratron 3.2.This closes switch 860 to momentarily energize camera solenoid '74 forthe second time. This makes the second photographic record of violatingvehicle 63.

When relay 86 is energized, it also opens contactor $61) whichde-energizes relay 73 thereby opening contactor 73a and closingcontactors 73b (relay 69) and 730 (thyratron 82). Furthermore, contactor86a is opened which interrupts the flow of current through the thyratron82. Relay 86 accordingly is immediately de-energized which returnscontactors 86a, b, and c to their original condition which is shown inFIG. 6.

At this time, the entire control apparatus including components 60, 61and 62 is returned to its original condition.

Since contactor 73b in series with relay 69 is opened by relay 73 when avehicle passes over plates 58 and 59 at a rate of speed which exceedsthe speed limit, this guarantees that relay 69 cannot be energized by asecond vehicle driving in the same or in the opposite direction as theviolating vehicle because relay 73 remains energized until the secondphotographic recording of the violating vehicle is accomplished. Thisprevents errors in photographing caused by following vehicles.

Also, no release of the camera shutter occurs when a vehicle driving inthe opposite direction passes over contact base plate 59 before baseplate 58 because contactor 69b is opened when contact base plate 59 istraversed which pervents relay 67 from being energized even whencontactor 66 is closed by this vehicle passing over contact base plate58.

Capacitor 70, which is connected in parallel with contactor 68 afterbase plate 59 is traversed, provides a momentary current flow throughresistor 71, contactor 69a and terminal 88 which causes solenoid 69 toremain energized a short time after contactor 68 is opened. This insuresthat relay 73 which has a certain response delay has enough time toenergize contactor 73a which insures that it always maintains itselfenergized thereafter. Furthermore, solenoid 74 is always maintainedenergized long enough to permit its armature which actuates camera 8 tocomplete its required path of travel.

If the speed of vehicle 63 when driving along the road between baseplates 58 and 59 does not exceed the maximum speed specified by theadjustment of resistor 80, contactors 66 and 68 are closed by theirrespective contact base plates when relays 67 and 69 are energized.However, relay 73 and solenoid 74 are not energized because the cycle ofoperation of timing switch 61 has already expired before base plate 59is depressed; and, therefore, contactors 67b and 670 respectivelyassociated with relay 73 and solenoid '74 have already been opened bythe firing of thyratron 77 by the time that contactors 69c and 69d areclosed when contact plate 59* is depressed. In this case, camera 8 is,therefore, not released.

By adjustment of resistor 48, of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-4 andresistor of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, it is possible tovary the time interval of approximately one second between thesuccessive photographic recordings or pictures of a vehicle whichviolates traflic regulations.

it is, of course, within the scope of this invention to photographicallyrecord violating vehicles not only twice, but any number of times atpredetermined time intervals. For this purpose, additional electronictiming switches are required which would be released either by relays 38or 39 of FIG. 3 or relays 73 or 86 of FIG. 6. These timing switcheswould control additional contactors which would be disposed in thecircuits of solenoids 42 or 74, namely, in parallel with contactors 49aand 860.

Other timing switch devices may be utilized instead of the electronictiming switches 17, 61 and 62, for example, timing switchesincorporating servomechanisms.

Control apparatus 16, 17, 6t 61, and 62 could be connected to dry cellsor storage batteries mounted in housing 11 instead of being connected toa DC. power supply which is connected to AC. lines through atransformer, rectifiers, and filters.

The apparatus shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 can also be used for guarding StopSigns which are placed in in tersections which cannot be surveyed at aglance by motorists. In this instance, through a correspondingadjustment of variable resistor 80, the switching period of timingswitch 61 is adjusted to the minimium time interval which is required tocome to a full stop and start between contact base plates 58 and 5?.

Devices for indicating the date, time and, in a given instance, thespeed of a vehicle violating traific regulations, can also be mountedwithin housing 11. These devices can be constructed and arranged toreflect their indications into the field of view of the photographiccamera to permit the date, time and possibly also the speed of thevehicle to be simultaneously recorded upon the film when the picture ofthe violating vehicle is being taken.

What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus for automatically detecting and photographing anyvehicles which are being driven in a manner violating trafiicregulations comprising a photographic camera including ashutter-operating means, an electrical control device for detectingvehicles which violate traflic regulations, said electrical controldevice being connected with said shutter-operating means for effectingthe release of said shutter when the passage of a vehicle traveling inviolation of trafiic regulations is detected to provide a firstphotograph of the violating vehicle, a timing means connected with saidelectrical control device and with said shutter-operating means foreffecting a repetition of said shutter release at a definite timeinterval after said first mentioned release to provide a secondphotograph of said vehicle a definite time interval after said firstphotograph; an inactivating means in said electrical control devicewhich prevents it from being actuated by a following vehicle after ithas effected the first release of said shutter, a reactivating means insaid electrical control device, and said timing means being connected tooperate said reactivating means when it efiects said second photographwhereby said electrical control device is restored to its initialcondition for detecting a violating vehicle.

2. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means forrepetition of said shutter release includes an electronic time switch.

3. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said electrical controldevice includes a switch which is constructed and arranged to beactuated by a vehicle which violates traffic regulations, aswitch-controlled relay solenoid being connected in an electricalcircuit with said switch to permit its energization to be controlledthereby, said timing means including a time switch, saidswitchcontrolled relay solenoid being operatively associated withcontactor means and with shutter control means associated with saidcamera shutter-operating means for releasing said shutter to take afirst photograph of said violating vehicle and for actuating said timeswitch, and said time switch being connected in an electric circuit withsaid shutter control means for actuating the second release of saidshutter to take said second photograph of said vehicle.

4-. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said inactivating meanscomprises a capacitor and a doublethrow switch which connects saidcapacitor in and out of the circuit of said electrical control device,the output from said capacitor being connected to said shutter-operatingmeans to cause the charging current pulse in said capacitor to actuatethe taking of said first photograph,

elay means connected to operate said double-throw switch in onedirection for maintaining said capacitor in said circuit after saidvehicle has been detected to prevent another current pulse from flowingthrough it, and additional relay means in said timing means connected tooperate said double-throw switch in the opposite direction for causingit to disconnect said capacitor from said electrical control device whensaid second photograph is taken to restore it to its initial conditionin which a charging current pulse can be formed in it.

5. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said inactivating meansincludes a normally-closed relay operated switch connected in theenergizing circuit of said electrical control device, saidnormally-closed relay operated switch being energized to open when afirst violating vehicle is detected to prevent subsequent actuation ofsaid electrical control device by a following vehicle, and timing switchbeing connected to tie-energize said normallyclosed relay-operatedswitch for causing it to close when said second photograph is takenwhereby said electrical control device is restored to its condition fordetecting a following violating vehicle.

6. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein a relay for activatingsaid electrical control device is connected with the signal lamp of atrafiic light for causing it to be energized when said signal lamp isglowing, a vehicle-operated switch being disposed in the path of avehicle driving past said traffic light, and said vehicle-operatedswitch being connected in series with a switch in said electricalcontrol device actuated by said relay connected to said signal lamp forconditioning said electrical control device to photograph said vehiclewhen it passes a glowing signal lamp.

7. An apparatus as set forth in claim 6 wherein said signal lamp is ared signal lamp.

8. An apparatus as set forth in claim 6 wherein said signal lamp is ayellow signal lamp.

9. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein vehicleoperated switchmeans are positioned in the roadway for 1d actuation by a violatingvehicle, and said vehicle-operated switch means separate a permissiveportion of the road way from a nonpermissive portion.

10. An apparatus as set forth in claim 9 wherein said vehicle-operatedswitch means includes a pair of switches in the roadway which actuatessaid electrical control device, said electrical control device includinga pair of time switches, and the first of said time switches beingconnected in the circuit to the second vehicle-operated switch forinactivating it when the period of said first time switch expireswhereby said electrical control device is only actuated when a vehiclecontacts said vehicle operated switches in less than said period of saidfirst time switch.

11. An apparatus as set forth in claim 9 wherein said electrical controldevice includes a pair of switches constructed and arranged to besuccessively actuated by vehicles driving along a road, said switcheseach being respectively connected in the circuits of switch-controlledrelay solenoids, said timing means including a time switch, saidswitch-controlled relay solenoids being each operatively associated withcontactors which are connected with control means operatively associatedwith said camera shutter-operating means for effecting the first releaseof said shutter and which are connected in the circuit of time switchrelay solenoid means which is operatively associated with contactormeans connected in the circuit of said time switch for actuating saidtime switch, and said time switch being connected with said shuttercontrol means for effecting a repetition of said shutter release apredetermined interval after said first release of said shutter.

12. An apparatus as set forth in claim 11 wherein a shutter relaysolenoid for operating said shutter control is connected to said timeswitch, said shutter relay solenoid being operatively associated with ashutter contactor in the circuit of said shutter control means, and saidshutter contactor being connected in parallel with said contactor meansoperatively associated with said relay solenoids actuated by said switchmeans.

13. An apparatus as set forth in claim 11 wherein said electricalcontrol device and said time switch are constructed and arranged toprevent said electrical control device from being actuated by othervehicles during the period in which successive photographs are beingtaken of a particular vehicle violating trafiic regulations.

14. An apparatus for automatically detecting and photographing anyvehicles which are being driven in a manner violating traflicregulations comprising a photographic camera including ashutter-operating means, an electrical control device for detectingvehicles which vio late traflic regulations, said electrical controldevice being connected with said shuttter-operating means for effectingthe release of said shutter when the passage of a vehicle traveling inviolation of traffic regulation is detected to provide a firstphotograph of the violating vehicle, a timing means connected with saidelectrical control device and with said shutter-operating means foreifecting a repetition of said shutter release at a definite timeinterval after said first mentioned release to provide a secondphotograph of said vehicle a definite time interval after said firstphotograph, said means for repetition of said shutter release includingan electronic time switch, said electrical control device including aswitch which is constructed and arranged to be actuated by a vehiclewhich violates tratfic regulations, a switch-controlled relay solenoidbeing connected in an electrical circuit with said switch to permit itsenergization to be controlled thereby, said switch-controlled relaysolenoid being operatively associated with contactor means and withshutter control means associated with said camera shutter-operatingmeans for releasing said shutter to take a first photograph of saidviolating vehicle and for actuating said electronic time switch, saidelectronic time switch being connected in an electric circuit with saidshutter control means for actuating the second release of said shutterto take said second photograph of said vehicle, a connector beingconnected in parallel with said switch actuated by said vehicle, saidcontactor being actuated by said switch-controlled relay solenoid formaintaining said switch-controlled relay solenoid energized after saidvehicle passes over said switch, said electronic time switch beingconnected to a time-controlled relay solenoid which is operativelyassociated with a contactor connected in the energizing circuit of saidswitch-controlled relay solenoid, and said electronic time switchenergizing said time-controlled con-- tactor for de-energizing saidswitch controlled relay solenoid when the period of operation of saidelectronic time switch has terminated.

15 An apparatus for automatically detecting and photographing anyvehicles which are being driven in a manner violating trafiicregulations comprising a photographic camera including ashutter-operating means, an electrical control device for detectingvehicles which violate traffic regulations, said electrical controldevice being connected with said shutter-operating means for effectingthe release of said shutter when the passage of a vehicle traveling inviolation of trafiic regulations is detected to provide a firstphotograph of the violating vehicle, a timing means connected with saidelectrical control device and with said shutter-operating means foreffecting a repetition of said shutter release at a definite timeinterval after said first mentioned release to provide a secondphotograph of said vehicle a definite time interval after said firstphotograph, said electrical control device being constructed andarranged for taking a series of pictures of any vehicles which exceedthe maximum speed limit, said electrical control device including a pairof switches constructed and arranged to be successively actuated byvehicles driving along a road, said switches each being respectivelyconnected in the circuits of switch-controlled relay solenoids, saidswitch-controlled relay solenoids being each operatively associated withcontactors which are connected with control means operatively associatedwith said camera shutter-operating means for effecting the first releaseof said shutter and which are connected in the circuit of time switchrelay solenoid means which is operatively associated with contactormeans connected in the circuit of said electronic time switch foractuating said electronic time switch, said electronic time switch beingconnected with said shutter control means for efiecting a repetition ofsaid shutter release a predetermined interval after said first releaseof said shutter, said first switch-controlled relay actuated by thefirst switch disposed in the path of said vehicle being operativelyassociated with a contactor by-passing said first switch for maintainingsaid first switch-controlled relay solenoid energized after said vehiclepasses over said first switch, a portion of said electronic time switchincorporating contactors operatively associated with said first switchfor initiating its operating cycle when said first switch is actuated,and a time-con trolled relay solenoid being connected to a portion ofsaid electronic time switch and being operatively associated with anormally closed contactor in the circuit of said first switch-controlledrelay solenoid for de-energizing said first switch-controlled relaysolenoid during the period of operation of said portion of saidelectronic time switch.

16. An apparatus for automatically detecting and photographing anyvehicles which are being driven in a manner violating trafficregulations comprising a photographic camera including ashutter-operating means, an electrical control device for detectingvehicles which violate traffic regulations, said electrical controldevice being connected with said shutter-operating means for effectingthe release of said shutter when the passage of a vehicle traveling inviolation of traffic regulations is detected to provide a firstphotograph of the violating vehicle, a timing means connected with saidelectrical control device and with said shutter-operating means foreffecting a repetition of said shutter release at a definite timeinterval after said first mentioned release to provide a secondphotograph of said vehicle a definite time interval after said firstphotograph, said electrical control device being constructed andarranged for taking a series of pictures of any vehicles which exceedthe maximum speed limit, said electrical control device including a pairof switches constructed and arranged to be successively actuated byvehicles driving along a road, said switches each being respectivelyconnected in the circuits of switch-controlled relay solenoids, saidswitch-controlled relay solenoids being each operatively associated withcontactors which are connected with control means operatively associatedwith said camera shutter-operating means for effecting the first releaseof said shutter and which are connected in the circuit of time switchrelay solenoid means which is operatively associated with contactormeans connected in the circuit of said electronic time switch foractuating said electronic time switch, said electronic time switch beingconnected with said shutter control means for effecting a repetition ofsaid shutter release a predetermined interval after said first releaseof said shutter, said time switch relay solenoid controlling saidelectronic time switch being operatively associated with a normallyclosed contactor in the circuit of the second switch-controlled relaysolenoid which is actuated by the passage of said vehicle fordee11ergizing said second switch-controlled relay solenoid, said timeswitch relay solenoid being operatively associated with a by-passcontactor which parallels said contactors in the circuit of said timeswitch relay solenoid which are operatively associated with said firstand second switch-controlled relay solenoids, a portion of saidelectronic time switch incorporating a resetting relay solenoid which isoperatively associated with a contactor in the circuit of said timeswitch relay solenoid, and said portion of said electronic time switchbeing arranged to open said contactor in the circuit of said time switchrelay solenoid for de-energizing it during the cycle of operation ofsaid portion of said electronic time switch.

17. An apparatus for automatically detecting and photographing anyvehicles which are being driven in a manner violating traificregulations comprising a photographic camera including ashutter-operating means, an electrical control device for detectingvehicles which violate trafiic regulations, said electrical controldevice being connected with said shutter-operating means for effectingthe release of said shutter when the passage of a vehicle travelin; inviolation of trafiic regulations is detected to provide a firstphotograph of the violating vehicle, a timing means connected with saidelectrical control device and with said shutter-operating means forefiecting a repetition of said shutter release at a definite timeinterval after said first mentioned release to provide a secondphotograph of said vehicle a definite time interval after said firstphotograph, said electrical control device being constructed andarranged for taking a series of pictures of any vehicles which exceedthe maximum speed limit, said electrical control device including a pairof switches constructed and arranged to be successively actuated byvehicles driving along a road, said switches each being respectivelyconnected in the circuits of switch-controlled relay solenoids, saidswitch-controlled relay solenoids being each operatively associated withcontactors which are connected with control means operatively associatedwith said camera shutter-operating means for eifecting the first releaseof said shutter and which are connected in the circuit of time switchrelay solenoid means which is operatively associated with contactormeans connected in the circuit of said electronic time switch foractuating said electronic time switch, said electronic time switch beingconnected with said shutter control means for effecting a repetition ofsaid shutter release a predetermined interval after said first releaseof said shutter, said second switch-controlled relay solenoid beingoperatively associated with a contactor in a circuit which by-passessaid second switch, a capacitor being connected in said by- 13 passingcircuit, and said second switch-controlled relay solenoid actuating saidcontactor in said by-passing circuit to connect said capacitor in theenergizing circuit of said second switch-controlled relay solenoid toprovide a momentary flow of current to said switch-controlled rclaysolenoid.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTSSubrizi Oct. 4, 1938 14 Fowler July 11, Hineline Ian. 23, McCutcheonNov. 25, Pearle July 6, Kondolf Apr. 24, Bower Oct. 30, Abell Jan. 27,Shore Mar. 8,

FOREIGN PATENTS Sweden Aug. 26,

